Multi-compartment bill fold



April 14, 1959 H. LATHROP MULTI-CCMPARTMENT BILL FOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 11, 1958 8m. Ow T@ mm WM vr .n Y A April 14, 1959 H. LATHROPMULTI--COMPARTMENT BILL FOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11, 1958United tates Patent f MULTI-COMPARTMENT BILL FOLD Harvey Lathrop, ForestHills, N.Y.

Application March 11, 1958, Serial No. 720,643

Claims. (Cl. 150--38) This invention relates generally to wallets andsimilar containers, and hasparticular reference to bill folds.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved bill foldconstruction in which there are a plurality of separate compartmentsuseful, for example, for the purpose of accommodating bills of differentdenominations in separated groups.

A more particular objective is to provide a multi-compartment bill foldof unique structural nature whereby two, three, four or even moreseparate bill compartments may be arranged in an unusually practicalrelationship without creating an unattractive bulkiness.

Another object is to provide an improved bill fold which will lenditself readily to fabrication of leather, plastic or other attractiveand appropriate materials, and which is relatively compact and slim, andinexpensive to manufacture.

In accordance with this invention, the structure involves an inner coreor skeleton composed of a plurality of rectangular panels arranged indivergent radiating relation to a common hinge axis, and outer wallssecured thereto in a special manner. Each of the basic panels has alength about half of that of a bill compartment, whereby each pair ofadjacent panels denes the inner wall of a full-length compartment. Foreach such inner wall there is an outer wall secured to it along onelongitudinal and one end edge. When the bill fold is closed, theskeleton panels are folded together about the hinge axis as a pivot, andall but one of the outer walls fold upon themselves and lie in thespaces between the panels, the remaining outer wall lying on the outsideof the device.

Other features of the construction, contributing to its simplicity,compactness, appearance, and utility will be pointed out hereinafter.

Two ways of achieving the objectives of the invention, and such otherobjects and advantages as may be pointed out, are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an exploded view of theelements entering into the construction of a bill fold of the improvedcharacter, in which there are four separate compartments;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the assembled constructions;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional vieW along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bill fold in the folded conditionapproximating the completely compacted relationship of the parts;

Figures 5-8 inclusive are perspective views of the device of Figure 4opened in various ways to make the four compartments successivelyavailable;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating a modifiedconstruction in which there are only two compartments;

Figure 10 is a view of the device of Figure 9, in opened condition;

Figure l1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view sirn- 2,881,818 PatentedApr. 14, 1959 ice ilar to Figure 2, showing the manner in which theinvention is applicable to a bill fold in which there are threecompartments.

The skeleton or core of the device illustrated in Figures 1-8 consistsof four substantially rectangular panels 30, 31, 32, and 33 arranged indivergent relation to a common hinge axis 34 at which the inner endedges of the panels are joined together. This may be done in variousways, and in the illustrated construction the panels 30 and 33 areintegral parts of a single piece of material (see Fig. 2) while thepanels 31 and 32 are similarly parts of a single piece of material,these elements being stitched together along the line 34 by means ofstitching 35.

Each of the panels has a length equal to approximately half the lengthof a bill compartment. Accordingly, each pair of adjacent panels definesthe inner wall of a fulllength bill compartment. Each of these innerwalls is associated with a full-length outer wall. Cooperating withpanels 30 and 33 in this respect is the element 36. It is folded alongthe central transverse line 37 so that it may fit snugly within theangular space between the panels 30 and 33 when the device is foldedinto a closed condition. A similar outer wall element 38 is mediallyfolded. as at 39 and lits into the angle between the panels 30 and 31. Asimilar outer wall element 40 cooperates in the same fashion with thepanels 31 and 32, and a fourth outer wall element 41 fits into the anglebetween the panels 32 and 33.

Each of the outer walls is secured to the corresponding inner wall alongonly one longitudinal edge and one end edge. The longitudinal edges thatare stitched together are all in alignment and lie along one side edgeof the device. More particularly, it is the longitudinal edge 42 of theelement 36 which is secured to the longitudinal edges 43 and 44 of thepanels 30 and 33 respectively. Similarly, it is the longitudinal edge 45of the element 38 which is stitched to the longitudinal edges 43 and 46of the panels 30 and 31 respectively. The longitudinal edge 47 of theelement 40 is also stitched to the longitudinal edge 46 of the panel 31,as well as to the longitudinal edge 48 of the panel 32; and thelongitudinal edge 49 of the element 41 is stitched to the longitudinaledges 44 and 48 of the panels 33 and 32 respectively.

To facilitate the folding and unfolding of the device along the centralhinge axis, all the `secured longitudinal edges are provided with acut-away recess at the center of each. These recesses are indicated bythe reference numeral 50.

As stated, each of the outer walls is also secured to its correspondinginner wall along one end edge. This is done in pin-wheel fashion, sothat each Isecured end edge of each outer wall lies at the open end ofthe next adjacent compartment. Thus, the end edge 51 of the element 36is stitched to the outer end edge of the panel 33; the end edge 52 ofthe element 38 is stitched to the outer end edge of the panel 30; theend edge 53 of the element 40 is stitched to the outer end edge of thepanel 31; and the end edge 54 of the element 41 is stitched to the outerend edge of the panel 32. The opposite end edge of each outer wall isleft free or substantially free of connection with the underlying endedge of the basic panel. Thus, the end edge 55 of the element 36 is leftfree or substantially free of connection to the end edge 56 of theunderlying panel 30, and so on.

It is advantageous to cut away each free corner of each outer wall, toreveal the corresponding part of the interior of the compartment itcovers. Thus, the free corner of the cover element 36 is cut away asindicated at 57, the corresponding free corner of the cover element 38is cut away as indicated at 58, the free corner of the cover element 40is cut away as shown at 59,

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3 and the free corner of the cover element 41 is cut away 'at 60.

After the parts have been stitched together, the rela tionship is of a,character best indicated in Figures 2 and 'A3, -Between the vouter wallelement 36 and the underlying panels 30 and 33 there is a full-lengthbill compartment 61. Similarly, between the outer wall 38 and theunderlying inner wall defined by the panels 30 and 31 there is afull-length bill compartment 62; between the outer wall 40 and theunderlying panels 31 and 32 there is a full-length bill compartment 63;and between the outer wall 41 and the underlying panels 32 and 33 thereis a full-length bill compartment 64.

The unique characteristics of the device will be apparent fronraninspection of Figures 4 8. Let it be assumed that'the compartrnents61564 -are to be used to accommodate bills having the denominations one,five, tenl and twenty respectively. Under these f""illnstanlces it mightbe advisable in practice to irnpint'these denominations upon the panels30-33 res'pectively,' in the corners that are exposed. The device thenis folded into the condition shown in Figure 4 when it is not in use andis to be carried in the pocket. To facilitate this folding the materialof which the wallet or bill fold is made may be pre-creased duringmanufacture along the central hinge line.

In the condition of Figure 4, it will be apparent that the four opencorners of the compartments lie one behind the other in convenientarray. The outer wall 36 lies on the exterior of the device. If the usernow wishes toY withdraw bills from the compartment 61, he flips thedevice into the .condition of Figure 5 whereby the compartment 61 isextended and is in a readily accessible uppermost position. During thewithdrawal of bills from'this compartment, or the replacement of billsinto it, the other compartments are inconspicuously held in a closed andconcealed position by the lingers of the hand in which the bill fold isheld.

The same relationship of the parts can be created if access is to be hadto the next adjacent compartment 62. However, the simplest manipulationin adjusting the bill fold from the condition of Figure 5 to that ofFigure 6 is to reverse the bill Vfold in its entirety, thereby `bringingthe compartment 62 to the top in an extended condition. Here again, theother compartments are held closed and concealedA by the user, as billsare withdrawn from or inserted into the compartment 62.

T ogadjust the parts from the, condition` of Figure 6 to that of Figlnje7, thereby making accessible the compartmentv designated 6 3, it, is' asimple matter to flip the upper half of compartment 62 downwardly. Thisbrings the outer wall 40 to the top as shown in Figure 7,` and the othercompartments-are held in closed and concealedv positions.

A further adjustment from the condition of Figure 7 to Figure 8 can beeasily achieved by flipping the upper part of compartment 63 downwardly,this bringing the outer wall 41 to the top and making the compartment 64readily accessible. The arrangement of the parts in Figure 8 is similarto that of Figure 5, except that compartment 64 is uppermost in Figure8, whereas compartment 61 is uppermost in Figure 5.

The manipulations, needed to readjust the device into completely closedcondition will Vbe obviousffrom this deseription.

`In Figure's19 and -lO I have-indicated the applicability of theinvention to a bill fold inl which there are only two compartments; andvin Figure 11 I have indicated the manner `Vin which the invention may beapplied to a. bill fold having three compartments.

--The--basicf-core'or skeleton inV Figures 9V and 10 is composedoftherecta'ngular panels-65 and 66 joined togathery at their 'inner edgesValong the'hinge line;67. -On

one; face 'o'fithfe device therefisanouter wall 68y securedalong itslongitudinal edge 6,9, as by AStitching 70, to the correspondinglongitudinal side edges of the panels 65, 66. The outer wall 68 is alsosecured to the free end edge of the panel 66, as by stitching 71. Thefree corner of the wall 68 is cut away as at 72. There is thus defined acompartment 73. Similarly arranged on the opposite face of the device isan outer wall 74, secured at one end edge to the free end edge of thepanel 65, as by stitching 75, and secured to both the panels 65 and 66along the longitudinal edge that is aligned with the stitching 70. Thefree corner of the wall 74 is cut away as at 76. This defines a secondbill compartment 77 beneath the outer wall 74.

When the device is folded into the condition of Figure 9, the opencorners of the compartment are arranged one behind the other, and it isa relatively simple matter to slip the device into the extendedcondition shown in Figure 10, with either the compartment 73 or thecompartment 77 uppermost and accessible.

In Figure l1 I have indicated an association of parts in which the basicskeleton consists of the three panels 78, 79 and 80, held together byany convenient means such as the stitching shown at 81. An outer wall 82is secured to the skeleton core to cooperate with the panels 79 and 80in defining a bill compartment S3. Another outer wall 84 is associatedwith the device to cooperate with the underlying panels 78 and 79 indefining a second bill compartment 85. A third outer Wall 86 is arrangedover the panels 78 and 80 to define a third bill 'compartment 87.

Additional views of the device indicated in Figure ll are believed to beunnecessary, in view of the description and drawings directed tothefour-compartment and the two-compartment constructions. Except for thefact that the skeleton in Figure ll is composed of three panels arrangedin divergent relation to a common hinge axis, the mode of assembly anduse of the device is the same.

Obviously the invention may be embodied in a 'bill fold in which thereare more than four bill compartments. The device may be composed of anydesired material, such as plastic or leather, and although stitching hasbeen indicated in the drawings and referred to in the specication, theparts may be held together in other ways if desired.

In general it will be understood that the details herein described andillustrated are in many respects illustrative and that those skilled inthe art may make changes in these Adetails without necessarily departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

What `is claimed is:

1. In a multi-compartment bill fold, a plurality of rectangular panelsarranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axis at which the innerend edges of the panels are joined together, each panel from hinge axisoutward being half the length of a bill compartment whereby each pair ofadjacent panels defines the inner wall of a full-length billcompartment, and a full-length outer wall for each of said inner Iwallsand secured to the latter along 'one longitudinal and one end edge, allthe-secured longitudinal edges being in alignment, the secured end edgeof each outer wall being at the open end of` the nextV adjacentcompartment.

2. In a multi-compartment bill fold, a plurality of at least threerectangular panels arranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axisat which the inner end edges of the panels are joined together, eachpanel from hinge axis' outward being half the length of a billcompartment whereby each pair of adjacent panels defines the inner wallof a full-length bill compartment, and a full-length outer wall lforeach of said inner walls.

3. In a multi-compartment bill fold, the structure defined in claim 2,in which each outer wall is Secured to its inner wall along onelongitudinal edge and'one end edge, allt-he secured, longitudinal. edgeskbeing in .alignu ment and the secured end edge of each outer wall beingat the open end of the next adjacent compartment.

4. In a multi-compartment bill fold, a plurality of at least threerectangular panels arranged in divergent relation to a common hinge axisat which the inner end edges of the panels are joined together, eachpanel from hinge axis outward being half the length of a billcompartment whereby each pair of adjacent panels defines the inner wallof a full-length bill compartment, and a full-length outer wall for eachof said inner walls, each outer wall being secured to its inner wallalong one longitudinal edge and one end edge, all secured longitudinaledges t being in alignment and having a cut-away recess at the center ofeach.

5. In a multi-compartment bill fold, the structure dened in claim 4, thesecured end edge of each outer wall being at the open end of the nextadjacent compartment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,749,020 Curry Mar. 4, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,026 Great Britain Dec.24, 1915

